On the twenty-eighth day of the first lunar month, everything is going well.
On this day, Prince Pei Yan ascended the throne in the Golden Dragon Hall and changed the year name to Yongning, and "the twenty-fourth year of Zhaokang" became "the first year of Yongning".
Pei Yan was busy in the former dynasty, and Tao Ti in the harem was not idle either.
After the enthronement ceremony, the harem will be sealed. Although she is the only concubine in the Eastern Palace, the necessary ceremonies are still very cumbersome.
In addition, she was busy moving, from the Yaoguang Palace in the East Palace to the Weiyang Palace, which is very close to the Zichen Palace.
Pei Yan specially ordered someone to decorate the Weiyang Palace, making it look brand new from top to bottom, even the plaque hanging in front of the main hall is his own handwritten imperial script, the three big characters "Weiyang Palace" are flying like dragons and phoenixes.
Compared with the Yaoguang Palace where Tao Ti used to live, the Weiyang Palace is very large and spacious, with load-bearing eaves on the top and five floors of white marble steps on the bottom. Pepper walls were painted on three sides of the bedroom, and the bead curtains in the hall are all round and bright South China Sea pearls. On both sides of the entrance, there are five-foot-high red coral bonsai, not to mention other precious and rare ornaments, calligraphy and paintings, flowers and plants, Tables and chairs should all be extremely gorgeous and exquisite good things.
"Ah Ti, is this picture hanging on the wall the famous artist Wu Min's "Lotus and Heron Picture"! This is a treasure that is hard to buy even if you have money."
"Wow, the tapestry sandalwood screen with the splendid peony painting is also beautifully embroidered. Everyone says that every inch of tapestry and every inch of gold is really amazing."
"Hey, over here, there are gold leaf flowers on this wall?! My God, the glittering gold is so beautiful. When I make a fortune in the future, I will do the same."
Xu Wenchan stared at the magnificent Weiyang Palace, and the exclamation never stopped.
After looking around, she smiled and said to Tao Ti, "Ah Ti, Your Majesty has treated you with great kindness! This means that all the treasures of the national treasury have been moved to you, right?"
Tao Ti lazily leaned on the couch, holding a cup of longan and white fungus soup in her hand, and took a sip slowly, "Although this palace is spacious and gorgeous, moving in a few days will be a toss for me. I have to call tomorrow." People built a new bread kiln. And the fruit trees planted behind my Yaoguang Temple, alas, I could eat peaches this summer... "
"What's so difficult about it, why don't you find some more trees to plant. As for the fruit, you're the empress now, so I'm afraid you won't have any fruit to eat."
Xu Wenchan sat down at the side, twirled a piece of buttery pine roll and ate it, "Speaking of which, in a few days it will be the Queen's Hall, are you nervous?"
"It's not nervous, it's just that I feel tired when I think about being canonized and offering sacrifices to ancestors."
Xu Wenchan smiled, "Why does it feel like you've been getting lazy lately?"
"Probably my body is still in hibernation, and it will be fine when spring begins." Tao Ti whispered, and joked with Xu Wenchan again, "Your chin seems to be a little sharper, could it be that lovesickness makes people thin?"
Xu Wenchan's cheeks turned red all of a sudden, and she muttered shyly, "What lovesickness is not lovesickness."
Tao Ti said, "It seems that the eldest princess's family has been away for almost three days. I don't know where they are now."
Princess Jingyang's family originally planned to leave on the eighteenth day of the first lunar month, but after Emperor Zhaokang abdicated, they stayed for a few more days, and did not leave Chang'an until the enthronement ceremony was over.
"Should have already left Chang'an." Xu Wenchan replied, fearing that Tao Ti would tease her again, he quickly changed the topic to the opening of a branch.
Zhang's branch in Luoyang was very good, so they decided to open in other state capitals to expand their business territory.
When it comes to making money, both of them are very excited.
They chatted like this until the evening, when the sky turned dark, both of them were full of confidence as if they were fighting chicken blood.
Before leaving, Xu Wenchan asked, "Aunt Zhang will rush back from Luoyang for such an important matter as your Empress Dowager Ceremony?"
Thinking of Mrs. Zhang's letter two days ago, Tao Ti nodded and said with a light smile, "Well, it will arrive in two days."
…
The post-sealing ceremony was scheduled for the sixth day of February. Mrs. Zhang arrived in Chang'an two days earlier, and Mrs. Lu, who hadn't seen her for a long time, came with her.
As soon as the two of them arrived at Weiyang Palace, they saluted Tao Ti respectfully, and shouted Jin An Wanfu, Empress Empress.
Tao Ti hurriedly helped the two of them up, and said happily, "Mother, Aunt Lu, they are all from our own family, so there is no need to be polite."
It had been a while since she had seen Zhang Shi, but this time when she saw her, her complexion was rosy, her brows were relaxed, and she no longer had the old-fashioned and dull look, which shows that it was an extremely wise decision to leave the dog man in time.
As for Lu Shi, I haven't seen him for more than half a year, and he still has such a gentle and loving temperament.
Seeing Tao Ti, she squinted her eyes and looked around, boasting, "I haven't seen you in half a year, the empress looks more beautiful, and her demeanor is different from the past."
Too many people praised Tao Ti these days, whether it was sincere or flattering, being praised every day made her feel a little smug.
After exchanging pleasantries, Tao Ti asked the kitchen to prepare a mutton pot, and the three of them ate and chatted around the stove.
The steaming copper pot is filled with white mist, and the delicious smell of lamb fills the dining room. On the small table on one side are various condiments, such as crushed peanuts, sesame paste, chopped peppers, coriander, minced green onion, minced garlic, oil and salt Vinegar and so on...
"It's best to eat mutton hot pot in winter, warming up and nourishing." Tao Ti scooped up a golden egg dumpling into a bowl, the mutton soup was delicious, the egg dumpling was boiled inside, the skin was full of soup, took a bite, The outside is soft and soft, and the water chestnut and celery filling inside is rich in taste, salty and juicy. The soup in the meat filling is warm on the tip of the tongue, so delicious that you can't wait to bite your tongue off.
"This mutton is good, it doesn't smell bad at all, and it's extra fresh and tender."
"The stewed radish inside is also good, it's noodle and sweet."
Mrs. Zhang and Mrs. Lu were not so restrained at first, and started to eat happily with their bowls in hand.
After a meal of mutton, the three of them sat on the couch drinking tea and chatting with satisfaction.
Holding the teacup in his hand, Lu Shi was suddenly a little dazed as he watched the scene, and said calmly, "In just a moment, I seem to have returned to many years ago..."
Mrs. Zhang was slightly stunned, the smile between her brows and eyes froze, and after a while, she pulled her lips and chuckled, "Yes."
In the past, they often sat around and chatted with Yuan Yuan like this.
Tao Ti was startled for a while, and immediately realized that they were thinking of Empress Gu
Thinking of what Pei Yan had said to her before, she also felt some sympathy for Queen Gu.
In addition to sympathizing, she looked at Mrs. Zhang and Mrs. Lu on the opposite side, hesitated for a while, and said cautiously, "Mother, Aunt Lu, I have always had a question in my heart..."
The two mature and elegant women looked at her, waiting for her to continue.
Tao Ti pushed the palace people back, squeezed her fingers, and said seriously, "It's about the eldest prince..."
Mrs. Zhang frowned and said, "What's wrong with the First Prince?"
Tao Ti bit her lip and asked doubtfully, "Isn't the First Prince really the Supreme Emperor's child?"
Zhang Shi and Lu Shi were startled, looked at each other, and frowned even tighter.
Zhang's face turned serious, and she stared at Tao Ti closely, "Who said that the eldest prince is not the child of the Supreme Emperor? Where did you hear that?"
Tao Ti recounted the story Pei Yan told her, and saw that Zhang's and Lu's complexions gradually turned livid, Tao Ti was confused, shouldn't she ask
After she finished speaking, Mrs. Zhang patted the small table made of huanghuali wood hard, with such strength and emotion that even the cups on the table shook three times.
"That bitch Zhou Mingyu!" Mrs. Zhang gritted her teeth. Anyway, Mrs. Zhou is no longer the queen, so she can openly scold her.
Lu Shi has always been good-tempered and reserved, but now his lips were trembling, and he also scolded, "Venomous woman, you are shameless!"
Mrs. Zhang snorted, "I'm just saying why Yuanyuan suddenly couldn't think about it and did such a decisive thing. It turns out that Zhou Mingmiao was sowing discord..."
With tears in Lu's eyes, "Yuan Yuan, why is she so confused, she also believes Zhou Mingmiao's words, and she doesn't know how to ask the Supreme Emperor."
Mrs. Zhang was also angry about this, but thinking of the increasingly indifferent relationship between Gu Yuan and Emperor Zhaokang back then, as well as her withered and withered mental state, she couldn't bear to blame her, so she just sighed deeply.
When she was young, she didn't understand why Yuan Yuan had to quarrel with Emperor Zhaokang. Although Emperor Zhaokang's act of coercing her into the palace was disgraceful, but he had a child and became a queen, and Emperor Zhaokang took care of her in every possible way, so why should she be stubborn? It's better to accept her fate and live a good life with Emperor Zhaokang.
Now that these years have passed, she finally understands Yuan Yuan's original feelings. Losing freedom and nature, what kind of "living well" is just living.
Yuan Yuan looked gentle and kind, but he had an idea in his heart.
Seeing the reaction of the two of them, Tao Ti made a bold guess, "Mother, Aunt Lu, the eldest prince...is the child of the Supreme Emperor?"
Zhang and Lu said in unison, "Of course it is!"
Tao Ti:! ! !
Hey, what a big misunderstanding!
She stared wide-eyed, like a choking eater, "Then why doesn't the Supreme Emperor know?"
Hearing this, Mrs. Zhang and Mrs. Lu also darkened their faces, guessing in a low voice, "Could it be that Yuanyuan didn't tell him the truth?"
Tao Ti resentfully said, "It seems, it seems, I don't know."
The expressions of Zhang Shi and Lu Shi were somewhat indescribable: according to the tempers of Yuan Yuan and Emperor Zhaokang, it is really possible that they breathed a sigh of relief and did not understand what they said.
One is arrogant and too lazy to explain, while the other is manic and angry, but they can only admit the green hat that doesn't exist.
Two awkward people get together and torture each other.
With tears in her eyes, Lu sighed deeply, "The two of them, why bother!"
"What's the matter with the Supreme Emperor? No man is as confused as he is. Doesn't he know what he did?"
Mrs. Zhang clenched her fists and said angrily, "No, I have to go see him, Yuanyuan has been wronged so much! Why should he be an affectionate species!"
After all, she stood up angrily.
Tao Ti and Lu Shi were taken aback, then came back to their senses, and went to persuade her to calm down.
But Mrs. Zhang snorted coldly, "No, this matter must be explained clearly. I want to teach him that Yuan Yuan never apologized to him at all, let alone owed him half a cent! To save him from thinking that he can recognize the eldest prince, it is because of his open-mindedness." , how tolerant to Yuan Yuan, how moved I am."
Hearing this, Shi Lu pursed her lips and didn't stop her, but wanted to go with Zhang Shi instead.
Mrs. Zhang patted her on the shoulder, "Your family is still an official in the court. If you offend the emperor too much and take your anger out on your family, it's not worth it. I can go alone. My daughter is the queen. The son-in-law is the emperor, even if he wants to vent his anger, he has to weigh it."
Without waiting for Lu's reaction, Zhang hurried out.
Tao Ti looked at Mrs. Zhang's handsome and neat back, her eyebrows moved slightly, she turned her head to Mrs. Lu and said, "Aunt Lu, I now believe what you said before. My mother is really hot and willful."
Lu Shi showed a helpless smile, and shook her head, "She, she is really getting better and better."
Tao Ti chuckled, and helped Lu to sit down again.
—
Xingqing Palace.
Emperor Zhaokang was quite surprised by Mrs. Zhang's sudden request for an audience.
He slowly put down the scroll in his hand and asked Li Gui to invite Mrs. Zhang in.
A stone blue figure walked in quickly, saluting with restrained emotions.
Emperor Zhaokang said a word of courtesy, and asked Li Gui to move a crescent stool for her.
Mrs. Zhang glanced at the stool, but she didn't sit down, she just lowered her head and said, "My wife came here today to explain something important to the Supreme Emperor, and I also invite the Supreme Emperor to retire from the palace."
After a pause, she added, "It's about the... Queen Mother."
Emperor Zhaokang narrowed his indifferent eyes, and said to Li Gui in a deep voice, "You take everyone down."
Li Gui let out a sigh, and quickly retreated with all the palace people.
The hall was quiet, and the dim light in the afternoon shone through the carved windows, casting spots of light on the clean floor tiles.
At this moment, Mrs. Zhang slowly raised her head. When she saw the man sitting on the couch, her originally angry eyes were lost for a moment.
How is he so old.
She was stunned. Is this gloomy and haggard man in front of her still the arrogant, indifferent and majestic emperor before
Emperor Zhao Kang stared at her with deep black eyes, and said indifferently, "Tell me, what is it about Yuan Yuan?"
Mrs. Zhang finally came back to her senses, her expression was serious, and she didn't say anything about those twists and turns, and said straight to the point, "The eldest prince is your son, do you know that?"
Emperor Zhaokang frowned, feeling that she was asking a stupid question, "Of course I know."
"I mean, he is the flesh and blood of you and Yuan Yuan."
"..."
The hall suddenly fell silent, only two solitary crows of jackdaws could be heard from outside the house.
Emperor Zhaokang's facial muscles twitched, he stared closely at Mrs. Zhang, his voice was tense, and he said in a deep voice, "Say it again."
Suddenly old, the strong momentum of the emperor's high position for a long time still makes people tremble.
Mrs. Zhang suppressed the fear in her heart, and said word by word, "Eldest Prince, he is your and Yuan Yuan's biological son."
Emperor Zhaokang pursed his thin lips tightly, his expression was dark and hard to distinguish.
Mrs. Zhang said anxiously, "Did you forget that during the Mid-Autumn Festival in the eighteenth year of Changzhao, you went to Gu's house in the middle of the night, you, you..."
She couldn't say the rest.
Gu Yan only told her and Lu Shi about such a secret and embarrassing thing. After all, the foreigner sneaked into the boudoir in the middle of the night, and such unbearable things happened.
Emperor Zhaokang's pupils shrank sharply, and his shoulders trembled violently.
Wasn't everything that day a beautiful dream
Seeing his reaction, Mrs. Zhang got emotional and couldn't care less. She sneered coldly, "Do you think Yuan Yuan is the kind of person who messed around with men before marriage? She and Wen Wenyan are innocent and have always behaved Keep the etiquette, not at all. But you, yourself... How can you let her accept what you did to Yuanyuan? She hates you to death, she must not run away!"
Emperor Zhaokang's mind was shaken, he only felt a roar in his head.
"Why, why didn't she tell me the truth..." His voice was hoarse, and the corners of his eyes were red.
"Yuanyuan married you at the age of sixteen, and died at the age of twenty-seven. You have been married to her for ten years. Don't you know what kind of temperament she is?" What Zhang actually wanted to say was that what you did to Yuanyuan Do you think she was willing to talk to you at that time? I have no idea.
Emperor Zhaokang clenched his fists, a gloomy cold light formed between his brows, and his chest heaved up and down due to strong emotions.
Seeing his distraught appearance, Zhang's mood was very complicated.
Yuan Yuan has a stubborn temper, and Emperor Zhaokang didn't do any personnel affairs back then, these two people got together, what a crime!
But what can she say, her marriage in this life has been a mess.
People are all fans of the authorities, and the bystanders are clear.
After pondering for a while, she sighed, "Yuan Yuan is a person who would rather bend than bend. Perhaps, if you hadn't been so strong back then, you wouldn't have come to this point..."
After saying this, she bowed to Emperor Zhaokang, "That's all my wife wants to say, please leave first."
She left without haste.
Li Gui and the others stood guard at the door, and when they saw her come out, they bent down to see her off.
As soon as Mrs. Zhang stepped out of the threshold of Xingqing Palace, she suddenly heard an exclamation from inside the palace——
"It's not good, the emperor vomited blood, please call the imperial doctor!"